AKT Associate

Knowledge Exchange Partnerships at Edinburgh Napier Business School have an applied focus and are of both national and international relevance. The Knowledge Exchange activity at Napier has been assessed as 'internationally excellent' and 'world-leading', giving us a top position among Scotland's Modern universities for both commercial relevance and impact.

As such, we are currently have an opportunity via an Accelerated Knowledge Transfer partnership between Edinburgh Napier University and Fair Justice System for Scotland (FJSS) Group, for an Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) Associate, who will take part in an initiative that responds to an urgent need for more equitable addiction and justice support for Black communities in Scotland.

The Role:

As AKT Associate, you will be in a strong position to use your skills and experience as a researcher to undertake qualitative research for a needs assessment and framework development, including conducting and recording semi-structured interviews with justice professionals and facilitating co-design workshops with the Lived Experience Advisory Group.

Similarly, your background and education in a relevant subject (Masters in Social Policy/Criminology/Public Health/Psychology, or related field) will allow you to conduct rapid evidence reviews and literature searches to inform the culturally competent framework principles and training content, while liaising proactively and empathetically with the Lived Experience Advisory Group, project supervisors, and key external partners (e.g., NHS Addiction Services, Police Scotland, Scottish Government) to ensure strategic alignment.

Your empathetic, trauma-informed, and culturally competent approach will be crucial for this role, which will serve you well as you engage with a wide variety of participants, particularly individuals with lived experience of substance use and justice system involvement.

Furthermore, your abilities for data synthesis and strong communication skills will allow you to present project progress and final framework to the project supervisors and key stakeholders, while providing guidance and coordination to the Lived Experience Advisory Group and relevant support staff from the FJSS Group, ensuring equitable and trauma-informed engagement.

What we will need from you:

• Minimum Level 5 (e.g., Masters) in Social Policy, Criminology, Public Health, Psychology, Program and Project Management, or a related field.
• Qualitative research and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience conducting interviews or focus groups.
• Facilitation skills (for workshops and meetings) with a trauma-informed approach
• Membership (or willingness to apply) of Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme

Benefits we offer:

We offer support and recognition wherever due, as well as fantastic benefits such as pension with employer contributions of 17.6% - 26%, a minimum of 46 days holiday and annual pay reviews.

For more information about our wide range of benefits, click here.

Additional information:

Contract: Fixed term – 13 weeks, 17.5 hrs/wk

Closing date: 30th October 2025

Interviews: Week commencing 10th November 2025

The University holds Disability Confident, Carer Positive and Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion status. More details can be found here. We are a flexible Employer.